How to choose a dog walker: what to ask before you book

Choose a dog walker on three things before price: whether your dog walks alone or with others, whether the walker states that they are bonded and insured, and whether they reliably cover your address at the time of day you need. Then meet them with your dog before the first paid walk. A walker has a key to your home and your dog on a leash near traffic, so the questions below are worth the ten minutes they take.

What tells one walker from another

These are the differences our listings record.

• Bonded and insured. Most walkers we list state that they are both. It means there is cover if something is damaged or goes missing in your home, or if your dog or someone else is hurt on a walk. A listing shows it when the business states it; ask to see proof if it matters to you.
• Solo walks. Some walkers take only your household's dogs out at a time. Your dog gets the walker's full attention and sets the pace, which suits dogs that are nervous, reactive toward other dogs, very young or very old.
• How the walk is sold. Louisiana walkers sell walks of 15, 30 and 45 minutes, daily walking on a standing schedule, and longer exercise outings for dogs with energy to burn. Some price by the walk and some by the visit. As of October 2026, per-visit starting prices run from $25, with most at $30, and per-walk starting prices run from $9.95, usually for the shortest walk on the list.
• Where they work. Nearly all of them come to your home, and each covers its own area. Most are around New Orleans, Metairie and Lafayette, with Baton Rouge covered too.

Questions to ask before you book

About the walk itself

• Will my dog walk alone, or with dogs from other homes? If with others, how many, and how are they matched?
• How long is the dog actually out the door? A 30-minute booking should not include the drive.
• Where do you walk: around my block, or somewhere you drive to?
• Is my dog always on a leash?

About the person

• Who will walk my dog? Is it always the same person, and who covers when they are sick or away?
• Are you bonded and insured, and can I see it?
• How long have you been walking dogs, and have you handled a dog like mine: a strong puller, a puppy, a senior, a dog that is afraid of storms?

About your home

• How do you get in: a key, a lockbox, a door code? Where is my key kept, and who else can use it?
• What do you do before you leave: water, wiping paws, locking up, setting the alarm?

About the day-to-day

• What time window will you arrive in? A midday walk at 11 and a midday walk at 3 are different for a dog that has been in since morning.
• What do you do in high heat or a thunderstorm? In a Louisiana summer a good answer is a shorter walk at a cooler hour, shade, water and a break indoors, not skipping the visit without telling you.
• How will I hear how it went: a text, a photo, a note?
• What is your policy if I cancel, or if you have to?

About problems

• What happens if my dog gets loose, is hurt or seems unwell? Which vet would you go to, and how fast would you reach me?

A walker who answers these plainly, without being pressed, is telling you something about how they work.

What a first visit looks like

Most walkers start with a short meeting at your home before any paid walk. Have your dog there. Watch how the walker greets the dog and how the dog responds; it should be calm and unhurried, with the walker letting the dog come to them.

Use the meeting to hand over what they need:

• the leash and harness or collar your dog walks best in, and how to fit it
• your dog's habits: pulling, lunging at bikes or other dogs, fear of loud noise, eating things off the ground
• your vet's name and number, and a second person to call if you can't be reached
• how to get in and lock up, and anything about the house, such as an alarm or a cat that must not get out
• where the water bowl, towels and bags are

The first walk or two may be shorter and closer to home while the dog gets used to a new person. Ask for a quick report after each. If your dog comes home relaxed and is glad to see the walker the next time, that is the sign you want. If your dog seems stressed or the reports are vague, say so early.

How often you need a walker

It depends on your day and your dog.

• Every weekday is the common pattern for people who work away from home: a midday walk breaks up a long stretch alone. Daily walking is sold for this, usually at a better rate per walk than occasional bookings.
• A few days a week suits dogs that have a yard or someone home part of the time.
• Now and then works for long days, travel or recovery from an injury, though walkers with full routes may not have room for irregular bookings.

Puppies and some older dogs need to go out more often than a single midday visit, and a short visit or backyard break can fill the gap. How much exercise is right for your dog's age, breed and health is a question for your vet.

Compare walkers near you

See walkers side by side, with their starting prices and what each states about itself, on Dog walking in Louisiana. Around Lafayette, there are also pages for Youngsville, Broussard, Carencro and Scott.